BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - An aspiring Birmingham filmmaker is planning to use the
city as his primary shooting location and setting for his debut independent feature-length
movie that is conducting a casting call May 11.

Although the novel's setting is Los Angeles, Mahnken is
changing the location to Birmingham for the movie.

"Mahnken's mission for his first feature-length film is
to create a heart-warming film right here in the great city of Birmingham and
to showcase the city as a great filming location," the production's publicist,
Leslie Kellen, said in an e-mail.

"He plans to use local actors and crew, all of them
volunteers, to bring his vision to life. Some of the locations being viewed for
filming include Sloss Furnace, The Vulcan, and Railroad Park. Many scenes will
be shot downtown, as well as within local businesses. Two scenes will be shot
in Montgomery," according to the e-mail.

Silver Lime Productions is hosting an open casting call from
noon to 6 p.m. on May 11 at the Central Birmingham Public Library. Actors will
need to provide a headshot with contact information.

The casting call is not just for actors. Anyone who wants
to be a crew member should attend.

The film's story follows 18-year-old Olivia, who lives in
Birmingham with her dads, Bell and Enrique, and her brother, Jeremy.

"But when Olivia discovers that Bell's restaurant, FOOD,
is in trouble, she applies for a job at a casting agency. The day of her
interview, Olivia meets a psychic in an elevator who tells her that this summer
will be pivotal," according to the production's website.

"Soon after, Olivia stumbles upon a vintage cookbook with
handwritten notes in the margins and starts to date a gorgeous boy named Theo.
As Olivia reads the notes in the cookbook and cooks the recipes, she forms a
kinship with the previous owner and becomes increasingly aware of the emptiness
she feels without a mother," the plot continues.

"When Olivia discovers her birth mother's name and
address, there's nothing to stop Olivia from meeting her. But sometimes the
things we search for are the things we've always known."

Mahnken is hoping to receive help from the community for
his movie, not only through financial donations and investment opportunities but
also other services. "He would also gladly accept material donations, such as
locations, props, and costumes, as well as film production services," according
to the e-mail.

Mahnken has experience as a cinematographer, script
consultant and assistant director for Black Flight Studios of Georgia. He was an
extra in the film "42" that filmed in Birmingham. He also worked on the films "Manfast,"
"Exit 101" and "The Legend of Seven Toe Maggie."